[10] Such a military action promised numerous benefits, including securing French trade interests, and inhibiting British access to India.

[citation needed] In order to regain the upper hand, he planned to launch a surprise assault on the Austrian army stationed in the Cisalpine Republic.

[15][16][17][II] During the five days spent traversing the pass, Napoleon's army consumed almost 22,000 bottles of wine, more than a tonne and a half of cheese, and around 800 kilograms of meat.

[IV] Agreeing that the painting was unrealistic, George, who owned a sizable collection of Napoleonic paraphernalia, commissioned Delaroche to create a more realistic depiction.

[22] Unconscious of the dreary wastes around, Of sleet that pierces with each fitful blast, The icy peaks, the rough and treacherous ground, Huge snow-drifts by the whirlwind's breath amassed, Through which the jaded mule with noiseless tread, Patient and slow, a certain foothold seeks, By the old peasant-guide so meekly led; Moves the wan conqueror, with sunken cheeks, O'er heights as cold and lonely as his soul,- The chill lips blandly set, and the dark eyes Intent with fierce ambition's vast control, Sad, keen and thoughtful of the distant prize; With the imperial robes and warlike steed,

[25] The magazine's comments on the work indicated that, while they praised the painting for several of its features, they criticised Delaroche, for various reasons: An Officer in a French costume, mounted on a mule, is conducted by a rough peasant through a dangerous pass, whose traces are scarcely discernible through the deep-lying snow; and his aide-de-camp is just visible in a ravine of the towering Alps.

The drifting of the embedded snow, the pendent icicle which a solitary sun-ray in a transient moment has made-all are given with a truth which will be dear to those who exalt the Dutch School for like qualities into the foremost rank of excellence.

But the lofty and daring genius that led the humble Lieutenant of Ajaccio to be ruler and arbiter of the destinies of the larger part of Europe will be sought in vain by M.